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Auburn couldn't keep first half's momentum going

Jeff McIntyre, Special to the Advertiser
Published 5:25 p.m. CT Nov. 25, 2018

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Auburn running back Malik Miller (32) dives in for a touchdown against Alabama defensive back Deionte Thompson (14) in first half action during the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday November 24, 2018.(Photo: Mickey Welsh)

TUSCALOOSA – Special teams was expected to be one advantage Auburn had over Alabama in Saturday’s Iron Bowl, and that proved true in the first half.

The Crimson Tide had the ball with a 17-7 lead late in the second quarter. Auburn’s defense then forced a three-and-out and the Crimson Tide was forced to punt.

Alabama punter Mike Bernier got a clean snap, but was unable to get the punt off as freshman Smoke Monday broke through to block it, giving the Tigers the ball at the Crimson Tide 23.

Auburn quickly cashed in on the big play. On second-and-10, quarterback Jarrett Stidham throw a lateral to Ryan Davis and the senior wide receiver then found Malik Miller behind the defense for a 23-yard touchdown play.

While the blocked punt certainly did not have the impact of the famous ‘Punt Bama punt’ of 1972, when the Tigers blocked two punts in the fourth quarter and returned each for a touchdown, it did flip the momentum to the Tigers.

Instead of going into halftime down by two or more scores, Auburn found itself very much in the game as it trailed the top-ranked Tide 17-14.

“Everything we did wrong in the first half led to them scoring or making plays,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “We got a punt blocked and we didn’t cover the guy on the double pass. … I told our guys if we executed the way we were supposed to in the second half we are going to have a lot of success, but we are going to change the way these guys think and get after them because now they think they can win.”

Auburn, however, was unable to keep the momentum. Alabama took the opening possession of the second half in for a quick score and never slowed down in beating the Tigers 52-21.

"Starting out the game, first half I thought we were in good position,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. “I thought we did some things offensively and defensively at halftime. Our goal was to get us to the fourth quarter. The game got away from us in the third quarter. That was very disappointing. Like I said, I think we were in good position, and we just didn't get it done.”